By Jude Atupulazi
The Anambra State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Maku Olatunde, is urging the citizens of the state to promote peace and harmony and work towards resolving conflicts in a constructive manner to ensure a serene and stable future for posterity.
The NSCDC State Commandant stated this during an occasion to mark the International Peace Day Celebration by officers and men of the Command at the State Command Headquarters, Awka, last Tuesday.
Commenting on the theme of this year’s celebration, ”Cultivating the Culture of Peace”, Olatunde stressed the need for all citizens to cultivate the habit of preaching and maintaining peace, which, he said, was needed for the socio economic development of the country.
His words, ‘The theme for this year’s celebration calls for action that recognizes our individual and collective responsibility to foster and cultivate peace in our own walk of life, communities and country, as a whole.
‘It requires nurturing values of dialogue, mutual respect, and inclusivity to counteract rising polarization and division among ourselves’
In a press statement signed by SC, Okadigbo Edwin, Head of Media and Tactical Ops, NSCDC, Anambra State Command, on behalf of the State Commandant, Olatunde described the International Day of Peace, established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly, which is celebrated every September 21, as a dedicated day for the promotion of peace and harmony across all borders and communities.
Earlier, in her address of welcome, the Head of Peace and Conflict Resolution Unit, NSCDC, Anambra State Command, Deputy Commandant, Charity Esokawu, said as part of activities to celebrate 2024 Peace Day, the Corps had organized sensitization programmes, public lectures, as well as peace walk, to emphasize the need for fostering understanding, tolerance and cooperation at all levels of society.
She encouraged everyone to take personal and collective responsibility in promoting and advocating for peace in their communities where all people could live in harmony, free from violence and conflict.